starter not engaging
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
starter not engaging
I`ve had intermittant problems with the starter for a while, it`s only 3 months old. Sometimes when I turn the key it just goes clunk. the problem is getting worse. The starter I replaced did the same thing. I just had it tested and it`s good. So I gotta think it`s something other than the starter. Any suggestions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 195
From: Maryland
Load test the battery to establish you have adequate power. Clean the battery cables both ends. Also sometime in the 70s GM went to aluminum battery cable that was copper plated. If you have the aluminum cables you should replace them with a lower gauge 1/0 copper cable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
May be it isn't shimmed correctly and the solenoid gear does not engage fully not making the contact to the motor. Meaning that the gab between the starter drive gear and the flexplate gear is too small.
Was the shimming checked when you installed the starter ?
Rgds. Günther
May be it isn't shimmed correctly and the solenoid gear does not engage fully not making the contact to the motor. Meaning that the gab between the starter drive gear and the flexplate gear is too small.
Was the shimming checked when you installed the starter ?
Rgds. Günther
CF Community Team
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Is your car an automatic or a standard? Don't rule out the neutral safety switch, which if faulty or misaligned will cause an intermittent no-start.
Ground from the battery to the frame also frequently gets corroded.
Ground from the battery to the frame also frequently gets corroded.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The starter solenoid is failing. The solenoid is clicking when activated but is not getting enough current to the starter motor. Check all of your 12 v. power wires & connections on the solenoid and starter. If they are OK, change the solenoid. [If you changed out the starter motor, I'm surprised that you didn't replace the solenoid at the same time.]
